A paraklesis is a service of supplication specifically for the living (as opposed to a Memorial Service, which is a supplication for the departed). This service is most often addressed to the Theotokos, but may be used to seek the intercessions of any saint. The distinguishing feature of a paraklesis is the inclusion of a supplicatory canon to the saint whose intercessions are being sought.(https://orthodoxwiki.org/Paraklesis)

Hymns of the Nativity of Christ

In 1995, the St Philip's Choir, under the direction of Kh Joyce Black, recorded a cassette of Christmas Hymns. That cassette is no longer available, but offered here are mp3 files of those recordings. Enjoy!

Click here to download an interactive book by Ioannis Margaziotis that teaches you how to read Byzantine music notation without a teacher. It is interactive because you can hear a recording of each exercise being chanted by pressing the paper clip button beside it. For those who do not know Greek, abbreviated explanations in English are accessed by clicking the yellow speech bubbles. If your internet connection is slow, the book may take while to download.

"God is the Lord" for Matins

The Antiochian Archdiocese has provided updated versions of "God is the Lord." The St Philip's choir will be learning these new settings and using them in Matins soon. Listen or download here.

While the Stone - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone One When Thou didst Submit Thyself - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Two Let the Heavens Rejoice - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Three Having Learned the Joyful Message - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Four Let us Believers Praise - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Five

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